Former England cricket captain Sir Ian Botham has revealed that he is undergoing preventative treatment to ward off erectile dysfunction in later life.

The 60-year-old, who was renowned for his sexual conquests in his '80s pomp, announced that he has regular "sexual performance rejuvenation" sessions in a shockwave therapy box.

The treatment works by sending low intensity shockwaves to areas of the groin and penis in order to stimulate blood supply.

In an interview with The Sun, 'Beefy' insisted that he has never experienced impotence, nor taken Viagra, but urged men to deal with the issue proactively before it becomes a problem.

"There's no downside to this - only a big upside," he said. "I'm a male and men do have problems and you have to front up to them. Men don't want to confront this head-on but they must. I haven't got a problem but I don't want a problem.

"It's prevention rather than cure. I didn't need the treatment but I didn't want to be worrying about it in 10 years' time. I'm saying to guys, 'Men's health is important.' I hope this becomes a talking point and that people break the taboo. There's nothing to be embarrassed about.

"What's more embarrassing? This or going to a chemist and popping some pills and saying to your partner, 'I'll be with you in 20 minutes, I'm just waiting for this to work?'"

Botham, who was knighted in 2007 for his charity work and sporting achievements, has been married to wife Kath for 40 years.